Questions and answers on cupping (hijama) by a cupping (hijama) expert.

Question 1: Which are the best days of the week for cupping (hijama)? Can cupping (hijama) be performed on 17th, 19th and 21st if they coincide with a Wednesday?Answer: The best days for cupping (hijama) are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and there is a prohibition for cupping (hijama) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. However, cupping (hijama) can be performed, out of necessity or due to sickness, on these days. As for Wednesday, then cupping (hijama) is not allowed to be performed at all.

If the 17th, 19th and 21st coincide with a prohibited day such as a Wednesday then one must not perform cupping (hijama) on this day due to the prohibition. If the 17th, 19th and 21st day coincide with Friday, Saturday or Sunday then you can perform cupping (hijama) due to a (dire) need. The Messenger r said, “Whoever performs cupping (hijama) on the 17th, 19th or 21st day (of the Islamic, lunar month) then it is a cure for every disease.” [Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud (3861)].

Question 2: What is the ruling for performing cupping (hijama) on Wednesday and Wednesday night (which precedes it)?

Answer: Cupping (hijama) is prohibited on Wednesday due to a strong prohibition of cupping (hijama) on that day and this includes its’ night.

Question 3: What is the ruling for performing cupping (hijama) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and their nights?

Answer: There are narrations prohibiting cupping (hijama) on these days. However, when one is sick or is in dire need then cupping can be performed on these days.

Question 4: What is the ruling for performing cupping (hijama) on the nights of Monday, Tuesday and Thursday?

Answer: It is allowed to perform cupping (hijama) on these days due to no narrations authentically prohibiting these days.

Ibn Umar y reported that the Messenger r said, “Cupping (hijama) on an empty stomach is best. In it is a cure and a blessing, increases memory and intellect, Perform cupping upon the blessing of Allaah on Thursday. Keep away from Cupping on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Perform Cupping on Mondays and Tuesdays for they are the days Allaah cured Ayub from a trial. Keep away from cupping on Wednesday for it was the day Ayub was inflicted (with a desease) and Leprosy is a result for cupping on Wednesday or the night of Wednesday” [Hadeeth Hasan as mentioned by Sheikh Al-Albaani in Saheeh Al-Jaami’].

Question 5: Are these following five places from the Sunnah:

a)1,55 al-Kaahil.

b)43, 44 Al-Akhda’ain.

c) Top of the head Umm Mugheeth.

Answer: These are from the main points for cupping (hijama) and they are reported in the Sunnah. Cupping (hijama) is performed wherever it is required, such as the top and bottom of one’s back, the middle of one’s shin, or the back of one’s heel.

Question 6: Are there any other Sunnah points for cupping (hijama)?

Answer: It is reported that the Messenger r performed cupping (hijama) at the back of the heel due to pain being present there.

Question 7: Is it from the Sunnah to keep repeating the cupping (hijama) every month or every year if the person is ill or not ill?

Answer: For a normal person it is good to do cupping (hijama) every three months. As for the sick person then every month because cupping (hijama) is considered from the Prophetic medicine and he r advised people to perform it. So it is a cure as well as implementing the Sunnah of the Messenger r.

Question 8: Is it from the Sunnah to have a bath after cupping (hijama) and after how many hours should one take a bath?

Answer: It is not from the Sunnah to have a bath after cupping (hijama) and also a person may be harmed such as the wound may become infected. Therefore, bathing should be after the wound has healed a day or two after cupping (hijama).

Question 9: Are there any signs that show that a person has magic, jealousy toward him/her, or evil eye after cupping (hijama)?

Answer: In most cases the person who has magic done to him/her will vomit after cupping (hijama) and sweat much. As for the latter two then they will find it very difficult to continue cupping (hijama).

Question 10: What do the following signs in the blood mean; bubbles, strands of blood, white strands, blood bubbling over?

Bubbles: Could be due to air coming out due to hair or a broken cup.

Strands of blood: Proof that the blood is not clean or the blood is clotting quickly due to blood clots in the body.

White strands: This seems to be due to a particular disease and clearly the blood is not clean.